Speech
Sesquicentennial celebrations for the Anglican Diocese of Wellington
May I begin by greeting everyone in the languages of the Realm of New Zealand, in English, Maori, Cook Island Maori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language. Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni (and sign).
May I specifically greet you: Rt Rev Dr Tom Brown, Anglican Bishop of the Wellington Diocese, Pihopa Upoko Te Ika Takutai Muru Walters, the Very Rev Frank Nelson, Dean of this Cathedral of St Paul; Most Rev John Dew, Catholic Archbishop of Wellington; Rodney Macann, National Leader, Baptist Church; Rev Desmond Cooper, Wellington District Superintendent of the Methodist Church; Major John Carey, Wellington Divisional Commander of the Salvation Army, Pastors Mike and Jeannie Knotts from the Elim International Church; Your Worships, Jenny Brash, Wayne Guppy and Garry Daniell, Mayors of Porirua, Upper Hutt and Masterton respectively; John Hornblow and Ruth Carter, Deputy Mayors of Manawatu and Carterton districts respectively; Representatives of Anglican Schools from throughout the lower North Island; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is with pleasure that my wife Susan and I have accepted the invitation to join this service to conclude the sesquicentennial celebrations for the Anglican Diocese of Wellington.
Those celebrations began on Waitangi Day when hundreds travelled to Rangiatea at Otaki to the Church which is said by some to be a cradle of Anglican worship in this part of the country.
Those celebrations have moved throughout the Diocese and now conclude here in Wellington where, 150 years ago, Charles John Abraham was consecrated as the first Anglican Bishop of Wellington.
For a century and a half, the Diocese has, with its fellow Christian churches, been a mainstay of the community in the lower North Island.
The churches of the diocese, in more than 90 parishes, have not only been places of worship, but also of fellowship and community.
The Diocese is a centre for a host of education and social services that benefit the wider community. These services are often organised and provided by volunteers who give freely of their time, energy and skills, often with little public acknowledgement.
Churches reach such significant milestones, not because of bricks and mortar, but because of the contribution of everyday New Zealanders, their families and whanau, who not only worship in buildings such as this, but who live the spirit of the gospel in their everyday lives.
As Governor-General of New Zealand, in congratulating the Diocese on its 150th birthday, I congratulate its parishioners and add thanks for your contribution to the health and vitality of our community. As the Reverend Dr Martin Luther King Jr once said,
"Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. You don't need to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree. You only need a heart full of grace and a soul generated by love."
And on that note, I will close in our country's first language, Maori, by offering greetings and wishing everyone good health and fortitude in their endeavours. No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tena koutou katoa.